My First Clam!

[Fishfreak218]

Ok, well i got my first clam today! it is really pretty.. its like a powder blue and teal clam. anyway it was labled maxima but i think its Crocea.. anyway i will post pics today when my parents get back with the camera.. its in my 30g. (the clam not the camera ) anyway its 2" and i also bought some DT's now i have never used DT's so do i have to actually squirt it directly at the clam's intake or can i just put it in my whole tank?? thanks in advance
-josh

 

[Lpabsolute]

Sounds Good, what kind of lighting do you have over your tank? Can't wait to see some pics....

 

[The steven liu]

If the clam shell has scute then it's a maxima and if the shell is relatively smooth it's a crocea. The mantle of Maxima has more contour than crocea too.

 

[vulkum]

for feeding remove the clam to a bowl of saltwater from the tank and squirt the dts in the bowl. wait 10 15 mins until water is clear then put the clam back in the tank

 

[Fishfreak218]

ok, well then i do have a Maxima (i thought that Crocea's had the scute on their shell) pics coming today.. also i have 150w MH and 130w PC.. the tank is a 30g. .... also does he have t be removed.. cant i squirt it around him (through one of those feeder things by Kent).. also im assuming that the bigger opening is the intake b.c. it has the litle fiber like things... that filter out phyto.. ok h/o im going to take pics..!

 

[Fishfreak218]

ok well i took the pics but then the battery died so ill charge it for 30mins. and then pload them ....
h/o

 

[The steven liu]

I've been dispensing live phyto into the water straight, most of my clams are already attached to a piece of rock so it's not the best idea to remove it into a bowl every other day. Just as long as you shut down all your filtration and skimmer when you feed for at least an hour.

 

[Fishfreak218]

ok thanks. Ill do that...can i spot feed him???? and also which hole is the intake ?? the bigger one right???

 

[The steven liu]

If you spot feed make sure you dont' jet it towards the clam as I've heard it can clug up their gill and cause damage. Just spray it close and around the clam and let the current carry food to it. The larger vertical hole is the intake and the small "pipe" is for exhale.

 

[Fishfreak218]

PICS:

 

[Fishfreak218]

here is a pic of the shell for ID'ing just to make sure it is MAxima:

will those bubbled bother the clam????

 

[The steven liu]

definately a Maxima

 

[The steven liu]

It looks like it could be one of those crocea maxima hybrid though

 

[Fishfreak218]

they have thoughs WOW thats really cool! i wonder If i have one.. how can i tell for sure??? do i have to wait till its older to tell/??

 

[The steven liu]

It is a confusing looking clam, the shell definately practices more maxima trait however the mantle have certain crocea traits too...

 

[Snprhed]

The mantle is not a reliable way to determine species. The shell is definitely the key, if you read D Knopp's book it specificly directs you to the bysal opening and tells you what to look for (shape).

 

[techigirl78]

I use to feed my sea pen by cutting the bottom off a two liter bottle, sticking it over the sea pen, and using a turkey baster to squirt in the food. Then, I let it sit for awhile to get everything it needed. Can't this also be used for clams? I heard its not good to target feed them.

 

[Fishfreak218]

im not target feeding b.c. he closes up.. and i have to wait.. so i just feed the whole tank lol.. i do target feed my Feather Dusters though